The Silent and Wise Majority Wins

by Candie Leigh White, author of The Green Pea
The
headlines this week will most certainly reflect the feelings of the
country as we send key women into power in Washington D.C. Nancy Pelosi-
making history as the first Woman Speaker of the House- Democrat from
California- (my home state ). I get frustrated sometimes that it takes
so long to get equality, as a woman. And, it’s not about getting
ahead; it’s just about getting equal time. Women in politics, women in
the auto world, it’s all about creating an environment that reflects
the whole of society, not just the one with the loudest voice. And as
evident today, it isn’t always the literally loud that is heard, but
the metaphorically loud. Slow and steady and patiently wise. The
journey is definitely worth it, in both worlds- politics and cars.
Always great topics for discussion.

When I first started selling
cars full time, over ten years ago, I was at a small dealership in
Florida. My mom had just passed away and I left California to visit my
aunt in Florida. I decided to make a career change and try auto
sales. I was the first woman to stay employed longer than two weeks
and my third month I made salesperson of the month. It took longer to
get my plaque because changing the standard format from salesman to
salesperson was apparently quite a process. I came back to California
and after my third month at a dealership five times as large with five
times the salespeople, I did the same thing. I made salesperson of the
month and broke another record for women at that dealership. Two years
later I became the first woman at the same dealership to become a
closer.

Along the way I had to endure a lot of criticism,
apprehension, verbal discrimination and harassment and a brick
ceiling. Still, I wouldn’t change a thing. Selling cars has allowed
me to do more than take care of myself. It has allowed me to be
financially independent. The good experiences and relationships far
outweigh the bad. The greatest gift has been my relationships with my
customers. Women are generally great communicators, even if it comes
in the form of erratic emotions, we are still communicating. Customers
appreciate that and will reward you with loyalty. But just like trying
to get into the White House, it takes time. Auto sales for women is
going to become a booming trend, but if you don’t enter it knowing that
it will take patience, commitment, and lots of courage, you may not
last.

There is a saying in auto sales that if everyone could do it, they
would. But not everyone can sell cars. And not everyone can be
speaker of the house. Women are used to having to be strong and
patient and accommodating often holding onto their knowledge until the
appropriate time to use it. This is the beauty of wisdom and we
possess it. So why not use that gift and become part of a great
industry where you can be your own boss without having to be
responsible for the inventory? The world is waiting for us. I
envision dealerships that have as many women as men actually on the
floor selling cars and working in service. It’s like finally getting
the vote. I pray that women will be heard.